Serum Thyroglobulin Levels: The Physiological Decrease in Infancy and the Absence in Athyroidism*

Abstract

The cord serum thyroglobulin levels of 218 neonates are much higher than the levels after the first year of life and show a wide range. A relation exists between a shorter gestational age and increased thyroglobulin levels. The serum thyroglobulin levels decrease within a few months after birth, but throughout the first year of life, these levels are still higher than the normal values at later ages (5–35 ng/ml). In 3 athyroid children, thyroglobulin is undetectable in serum. (J Clin EndocrinolMetab58:1301, 1981)